Starting this week, all four offices of recently elected Bexar County Tax Assessor-Collector Albert Uresti will stay open until 6:30 p.m. each Wednesday for the convenience of taxpayers and to fulfill one of Uresti's key campaign promises.

The extended hours will allow more people to take care of their tax obligations in person after work, Uresti said Monday.

Longer hours are usually in effect around the annual Jan. 31 payment deadline, and the downtown location already has extended Wednesday hours, but Uresti is making them a year-round fixture at the other three locations, on the South, Northwest and Northeast sides.

He said he's hoping to add Saturday hours someday.

“What we're trying to do is make it easier for people to make their payments and not miss work,” Uresti said.

He was elected Nov. 6 to an office that became open with the retirement of longtime predecessor Sylvia Romo. Campaigning in a large field of Democratic primary contenders and later in the general election against Republican Robert Stovall, Uresti vowed to improve customer service.

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He said the message struck a nerve.

“We had a very positive reaction. People were excited that we were going to make it more convenient for them to make their payments, and at some point down the line, we want to open at least one Saturday per month,” Uresti said.

He's also eager to improve online payment options and customer bills “to make them easier to follow.”

On Jan. 31, the last day to pay property taxes without penalties and interest, all offices will be open until 6:30 p.m. as well. Drop-off service will be available that day at the downtown office only, Uresti said.

Also, “we're definitely going to be increasing our community outreach programs to make sure our citizens — especially our senior citizens, our veterans and our disabled — are aware of any exemptions and benefits they may be entitled to.”